Citizens UK receives funding from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Solidarity Fund to build the power of communities
Citizens UK receives funding from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Solidarity Fund to build the power of communities
Thanks to National Lottery players, Citizens UK has received almost £5 million of truly life-changing funding over nine years to build the power of communities to make change on the issues they care most about, and bring people together to build trust across difference.
The funding comes from The National Lottery Community Fund’s Solidarity Fund – a key part of our efforts to deliver our strategy and address inequity and inequality by supporting experienced organisations working with communities facing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination.
It is central to our commitment to put community agency, power and control at the heart of our funding in England, as we plan to distribute at least £3 billion of life-changing grants by 2030.
“When we created our strategy, we said we wanted to prioritise communities who are the least supported and least heard. We promised to put agency, power, and control at the heart of our funding in England. The Solidarity Fund puts that commitment into practice.
“Lasting change doesn’t happen in a year or two. It takes time to build confidence, leadership, relationships and influence. That’s why we’re making long-term investments in organisations rooted in communities and led by people with lived experience.
“This is about more than funding projects. It’s about funding community power – helping people shape the decisions, systems and institutions that affect their lives. Together, we can build a strong, fair, and more inclusive society.”
David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund
"The Solidarity Fund goes beyond short-term fixes. It brings people together across different issues, places and communities. It helps them to act on shared challenges and build long-term solutions. It supports people closest to the issues to lead and organise. And it strengthens relationships across different communities and issues."